Which term describes a protagonist with a fatal flaw which eventually leads to his demise?

• A. Tragic Hero
• B. Foil
• C. Dialogue
• D. Denotation

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is the archetype of a tragic hero: a noble protagonist whose own fatal flaw or terrible judgment (often called hamartia) leads to his downfall. In classic tragedy, this flaw twists fate and circumstances into a downfall that evokes pity and fear in the audience. While flaws vary—hubris is a common example—the essential point is that the character’s own flaw drives the demise, not external forces alone. The other terms don’t fit: a foil is someone who contrasts with the hero, not the hero himself; dialogue is spoken exchanges between characters; and denotation is the literal meaning of a word.